Method and apparatus for exercise monitoring combining exercise monitoring and visual data with wireless devices

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for a wireless exercise monitoring system for interactively monitoring an aspect of exercise, sports, or fitness utilizing a wearable device, such as a watch, eyewear, or smart apparel. The device is equipped with, or connected to, a digital camera. Sensors integrated with, or wirelessly connected to, the wearable internet device record physiological data during exercise and data measuring the amount of exercise performed. The data and visual images from the camera are transmitted to one or more internet servers, and may be shared with other mobile internet devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/054,711, filed Feb. 26, 2016, entitled “Method and Apparatus ForExercise Monitoring Combining Exercise Monitoring and Visual Data WithWireless Wearable Devices”, which in turn is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/220,682, filed Mar. 20, 2014, entitled“Method and Apparatus For Exercise Monitoring Combining ExerciseMonitoring and Visual Data With Wireless Wearable Devices,” now U.S.Pat. No. 9,272,183, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/692,080, filed Jan. 22, 2010, entitled “Methodand Apparatus For Exercise Monitoring Combining Exercise Monitoring andVisual Data With Wireless Internet Connectivity,” now U.S. Pat. No.8,712,510, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/649,355, filed Jan. 3, 2007, entitled “Method and ApparatusFor Health and Disease Management Combining Patient Data Monitoring WithWireless Internet Connectivity,” now abandoned, which is a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/156,177, filed Jun. 17, 2005,entitled “Method and Apparatus For Health and Disease ManagementCombining Patient Data Monitoring With Wireless Internet Connectivity,”now U.S. Pat. No. 7,156,809, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/773,501, filed Feb. 6, 2004, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,976,958, the entirety of each prior application beingincorporated by reference herein.

REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT

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REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to monitoring of living subjects, such asduring exercise, and more particularly to exercise monitoring of personswhere measured or input exercise data is communicated by a mobilecommunications device to and from the internet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Several attempts have been made in the past to achieve efficientinteractive communication of medical or health information between asubject or patient and a reviewer or provider of that information.However, in general, previous systems have limited the user to thegeneral location in which the device was located. For example, in U.S.Pat. No. 5,441,047, images and data were transmitted by standardtelephone lines or wireless telemetry systems.

Even where devices are portable, as in the case of a laptop computerwith a modem, an ordinary POTS phone line must be found and used. Wherethe user's computer employs a broadband connection, such as DSL orsatellite, the choices of location are even more limited.

Attempts have been made to remedy this deficiency. As noted above, sometelemetry systems allow a “wireless” distance to be placed between ahealth measuring unit and a remote monitoring system. However, suchsystems are limited in their range.

Other systems have used cellular telephone technology to increase thewireless health monitoring range. However, these systems have severaldeficiencies, such as requiring significant modification of the mobilephone. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,586, issued Jun. 30, 1998 toHeinonon et al., discloses a method for monitoring the health of apatient. This system uses a specialized connection between the patienthealth measuring unit and the cellular phone, however. The patienthealth measuring unit is located in the battery space of the mobilephone and is connected to a communication bus of the mobile phone. Othersystems have been proposed, but these suffer from similar deficienciesin that they require specially modified cellular phones to be employed.

The deployment of the above systems also currently lacks employment offull back-end server functionality with which to provide a wide range ofinteractive communication with the patient. Instead, such systems, ifinternet-enabled, are often limited to mere one-way non-interactive datatransfer via a modem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention overcome one or more of thedisadvantages of the prior art by providing a full-feature health andexercise monitoring system that may wirelessly connect to a back-endserver application via the internet. The invention allows wirelessaccess to and from a wide variety of present exercise or health-relatedinstruments and devices, while maintaining the capability of connectingto future such devices.

The advent of multimedia mobile phones and other personal communicationsdevices that include a digital camera, or are able to connect with one,allows the capture and transmission of health and exercise information,including images. In embodiments of the present invention, multimediamobile phones are used to transmit voice and images as well as data froman exercise monitoring device. In addition to the uploading of images,the display screen of a wireless internet device (“WID”), such as asmart phone, is used to allow the display of images such asillustrations, diagrams or video clips which may be downloaded from aserver as part of an interactive user interface (e.g., for the purposeof describing to a user how to set up an exercise regime). The abilityto include images in a system that is based on a WID connected to aexercise monitoring device helps facilitate the remote analysis andmonitoring of exercise, fitness, nutrition, or health.

The reviewer or provider of exercise or health information is understoodto include not only the user but also a trainer, coach, specialist,caregiver, physician, another user, or a software application oralgorithm that may analyze the information. The information can includedata from a variety of monitoring devices and images relating to thecondition of the user. The images could include photographs or videos ofthe user's specific situation that could aid their exercise regime.

In particular, the invention may be embodied in several systems. Twocomplementary such systems are described herein, although extensions toother such systems can be envisioned. In the first embodiment, a healthor lifestyle management plan may be implemented. Various exerciseparameters, such as those relating to fitness, nutrition or exercise,may be received from an exercise monitoring device, and the same may bewirelessly communicated to a server. The exercise parameters may includephysiological data, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, ortemperature; or data corresponding to the amount of exercise performed,such as number of miles traveled, how much work performed, or the like.In some cases, derived data, such as number of calories burned, may alsobe measured by an appropriate calculation. An application may process,store, and perform calculations on the exercise parameters, these may bereported back to the user, and a health, nutrition, or fitnessspecialist or other reviewer may optionally review the same or differentderived or measured values. The second embodiment of the invention maybe employed to manage the disease state or condition of a patient. Inthis embodiment, the patient, or a caregiver, may employ a healthmonitoring device (“HMD”), in particular a medical device, and awireless connection to provide data from the medical device forprocessing via the internet, including a review by a physician or otherhealth care professional if required.

In other embodiments, the condition of subjects may be evaluated bycollecting exercise, health, or medical data and providing informationin response to those data by means of a WID designed to displayinteractive information through a connection to the Internet. Thepresent invention may be connected to various HMDs, and may communicateinformation via a wireless connection such as a wireless Internetconnection. The user of the present invention may be the subject, oranother person such as a trainer, coach, or physician. Wireless internetconnectivity has many advantages. For example, in the first embodiment,a person interested in tracking an exercise program may take the WID tothe local health club and attach the same to an exercise machine, senddata output from various exercise machines over the Internet, which mayinclude data relating to how much exercise or work was performed, andphysiological data such as heart rate, and receive a personalizedresponse from an application program running on a server. The individualmay input caloric content of foods eaten, and may further input caloriccontent of exercise performed. In this way, e.g., a person in aweight-loss program may see in great detail whether they are expendingmore calories in the form of exercise than the same individual isconsuming in the form of food. Alternatively, in the second embodiment,a diabetic could connect a blood glucose meter to a WID away from homeand download data to a Diabetes Management Company's server and, inresponse, receive guidance displayed on the screen (or by voice) aboutchoices for the next meal.

In general, in the health management embodiment, the system may beemployed to monitor the physiological status of a healthy subject whileexercising, or performing other activities by receiving data from avariety of exercise monitors that provide physiological data and/or datacorresponding to the amount of exercise or work performed. Exercisemonitors that provide physiological data may include heart ratemonitors, respiration rate monitors, blood pressure monitors,accelerometers, pedometers, body weight scales, body fat gauges,biofeedback devices, physiotherapy or chiropractic equipment, or thelike, and the same may be separate devices or devices incorporatedwithin an exercise machine. Exercise machines may include, e.g.,treadmills, rowing machines, steppers, other aerobic or anaerobicexercise equipment, weight machines, or any other type of exercisemachine. Exercise data corresponding to an amount of exercise performedmay be measured by such machines and sent to the WID as described. Forclarity, such devices are termed herein “exercise monitors” or “exercisemonitoring devices” and the same measure “exercise parameters” or“exercise data”. Exercise parameters or data may include the abovephysiological data and/or data corresponding to an amount of exercise orwork performed.

In more detail, embodiments of the present invention provide a methodand system for assisting subjects to maintain a healthy lifestyle bycollecting and transmitting exercise data and in turn receivinginformation in response to those data by means of a WID designed todisplay interactive information through a connection to the Internet.The present invention may be connected to various HMDs, both medical andexercise-related in nature, and may communicate information via awireless connection such as a wireless Internet connection.

A major advantage of embodiments of the invention is that the same freesthe patient from the constraints of wired systems. The same allows userswith consumer “off-the-shelf” wireless devices, e.g. mobile phone, tosignificantly extend the range of connectivity over that of wiredcomputers, or even wireless telemetry systems.

The WID may be a web-enabled mobile phone. Alternatively, the WID may bea PDA, palm, handheld, tablet, netbook, or laptop computer, equippedwith a wireless modem. Besides these, the WID may be a hybrid devicethat combines the functions of a computer, PDA and telephone in somefashion. It should also be noted that the WID may be a web-enabledmobile phone or hybrid device using a satellite communications network.

In a separate embodiment, an adaptor is used if necessary to convert theoutput signal of the exercise monitoring device to a suitable inputsignal for the, e.g., WID. The adaptor allows connection of the WID toan exercise monitor, either separately or one that forms part of anexercise machine or other variety of health care equipment, and theconnection may be made via several techniques.

As for wired techniques, a standard parallel bus, universal serial bus(USB), Firewire, serial cable, or similar industry-standard connectionmay be used if the input/output ports between the HMD and the WID areappropriate. Otherwise, a suitable separate adaptor may be employed.

The connection may also be an input such as a memory device reader, adisk drive or other media input for input of data, a USB port or phonejack or other such wired input, again employing an adaptor if required.

As for wireless techniques, infrared (IR), microwaves, radio frequency(RF), a variety of cellular protocols, a variety of 802.11 protocols,802.15 protocols, 802.16 protocols, 802.20 protocols, other IEEE 802family protocols, short range wireless transmission, wide area networkor broadband transmission methods, such as Bluetooth®, wirelessuniversal serial bus protocols (W-USB), WiFi, WiMax, WiFiMax, Long TermEvolution (LTE), ultrawideband protocols (UWB), Voice over IP (VOIP), orsatellite communication protocols or other wireless protocols, oroptical techniques including lasers, may be employed. As above, anadapter is used if necessary to convert the output of an exercise deviceto a suitable wireless signal for the WID, for example, a Bluetooth®virtual serial cable.

The user, or other person such as a trainer, may also input datamanually, such as by a stylus, keypad, touch screen, synchronizationfrom a PC, or by various other techniques discussed below. Such acapability may be especially useful for the input of food data, e.g.,caloric content consumed, or the like.

A major advantage of the invention is that by use of an optionaladaptor, the system is compatible with current and prior HMDs as well asmaintaining a capability of adapting to future such systems.

A digital camera may be integral to the WID to provide photographic orvideo images to supplement the data from the HMD. Alternatively, the WIDmay be connected to a camera either through a wired or wirelessconnection. The HMD may also provide image data (e.g., exercise machineon-screen signals could be transmitted visually if an output connectionis not available).

The interaction between a WID and a back-end server may provide a majoradditional advantage in certain embodiments of the invention. Inparticular, the relatively small amount of memory currently provided ona WID as compared to a back-end server limits the functionality ofapplications running on the WID, especially in terms of computingcapacity, processing power, and user interface. By providing significantapplication functionality on the back-end, less memory and processingcapabilities become necessary on the WID (i.e., on the “front-end”).Thus, memory may be used in the WID for an enhanced user interface orfor other purposes, according to the user requirements. The invention isprotocol-independent.

In a method according to an embodiment of the invention, the userconnects to a specific Internet site and a software program, resident ona computer readable medium such as a hard disk drive, flash memory,permanent disk storage such as a DVD-ROM, firmware, or the like, on aremote server located on the Internet, downloads an interactive userinterface for that patient or subject user and an application for themeasurement of the exercise information or that allows, enables,controls, or otherwise provides for the transfer of information from theexercise monitor to the WID. Alternatively, the software may have beenpreviously installed on the WID by a supplier or a from a memory device,or downloaded to a computer readable medium of the WID such as aninternal memory storage, or in another manner as is known in the art,from a personal computer or wireless access point or via other wirelessdownload technologies via a synchronization operation in known fashion.

The software provides a personalized display for the user and configuresthe WID to control and monitor devices connected via a genericinput/output port to the WID. The software may be designed to suit theconstraints of the small display screens of WIDs. The software, as wellas inputs from the user or other inputs, can control the manner,content, and display of information presented to the user, and measuredor input data can be stored for review by the user, a trainer, coach,health care professional, other user, or be processed further by asoftware algorithm or application. The algorithm may be of varyingcomplexity, from a simple program that merely provides a response to theuser, to an artificial intelligence algorithm, such as an expert system,collaborative filtering system, rules-based system, case-based reasoningsystem, or other such artificial intelligence application.

Further information may be provided to or from the user, includinginformation entered manually, e.g., calories consumed or exerciseperformed. The user may input this information directly on the WID orvia a personal computer, which then may download the input informationto the WID via a synchronization operation using standard protocols,such as those for smart phone devices.

The user may also input supplemental information via a PC connectedindependently to the server via the internet. Alternatively, the usermay input this information via connection with another device usingstandard protocols, wired or wireless connections including a variety of8021.11 protocols, a variety of 8021.15 protocols, a variety of 802.16protocols or wireless transmission methods such as Bluetooth®, WiFi,WiMax, WiFiMax, or infrared wireless connections. In addition, a GlobalPositioning System (GPS) device can be used to provide data about thelocation of the user. The GPS information can be used to calculate anexercise parameter corresponding to the amount of exercise performed,e.g., by tracking the distance traveled.

The use of a WID equipped with a “hands-free” earpiece and microphoneallows the user to interact with the trainer, coach, or health careprofessional while recording exercise data. The use of a camera-equippedmobile phone further allows the trainer or health care professional toinstruct the user to send photographs or video to assist in the exerciseperformance or analysis. The deployment of voice processing technologymay be used to allow an even more convenient user interface.

In all of these respects, the portable aspect of the WID is important:to wit, the user may conveniently carry the WID on their person whereverthey go, allowing data entry at the time needed or as is convenient. Awearable WID such as implemented by a smart watch, eyewear, article ofclothing, or other device or configured to be worn by a person, makes iteven more convenient for a user to carry the WID on their person.

A, trainer, coach, or other person reviewing the data may also inputsupplemental information via a PC connected independently to the servervia the internet to supplement the data input to the WID. Suchsupplemental information may include data that is not otherwiseavailable to the user.

Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from thesummary above, as well as from the description that follows, includingthe figures and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a general embodiment of a wireless health-monitoringsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless health-monitoringapparatus according to the present invention, showing the system of FIG.1 up to a point of a wireless antenna 60;

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a WID employing a camera, which maybe integral or not;

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a back end of an exercise monitoringsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a data flow diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method of use for a wirelessapplication and a server application according to the present invention,in which the same is implemented for exercise monitoring;

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a wired connection between a HMD anda WID, also showing an optional adaptor; and

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless connection between a HMDand a WID, showing a different type of optional adaptor than that inFIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various acronyms are used for clarity herein. Definitions are givenbelow. The term “HMD” may encompass not only devices with physiologicaland exercise data sensors but also devices with a keypad, keyboard,mouse, touch screen, pointer, pressure sensor, or other such inputs thatthe patient or user may employ to perform data entry of the desiredparameters. In general, HMDs include some means for determining anexercise or health parameter. For receiving physiological data, an HMDmay be a heart rate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, an ambulatory ECGrecorder, a respiratory monitor, a temperature monitor and so on.

For receiving exercise data corresponding to the amount of exerciseperformed, an HMD may be an exercise monitor such as a pedometer,accelerometer, biofeedback device, or other sensor tracking duration,rate, intensity or total amount of exercise, such as number of milestraveled. In a healthy lifestyle management embodiment, an HMD may beincorporated within an exercise machine, including treadmills, rowers,steppers, exercise cycles, or other aerobic or anaerobic exercisers, thesame providing exercise data corresponding to the amount of exerciseperformed such as number of miles traveled, duration of exercise or rateof work performed, and the same may provide physiological data such asheart rate, and additional derived data such as the number of calories.

The term “subject” as used herein primarily indicates a human subject.The same may be, a person interested in maintaining health via accuraterecording of exercise, fitness, and nutrition, and so on, or a medicalpatient under a physician's care or the care of another healthcareprofessional The term “user” is generally used to refer to a user of theWID, which may be synonymous with the subject or may alternatively beanother person using a similar WID to review the data from the firstuser. A user may also be a trainer, fitness coach, physician monitoringan exercise program, or the like. The term “patient” is used, inaddition to a person under the care of a physician, to also refer to a“normal” or healthy individual who is interested in maintaining ahealthy physiological balance.

The term “signal communication” is used to mean any type of connectionbetween components where the connection is, e.g., electromagnetic, andwhere the connection allows information to be passed from one componentto another. This term may be used in a similar fashion as “coupled”,“connected”, “information communication”, “data communication”, etc. Thefollowing are examples of signal communication schemes. As for wiredtechniques, a standard USB or serial cable may be used if theinput/output ports are compatible and an optional adaptor may beemployed if they are not. As for wireless techniques, examples ofemployable techniques include: infrared (IR), microwaves, radiofrequency (RF), a variety of cellular protocols, a variety of 802.11protocols, 802.15 protocols, 802.16 protocols, 802.20 protocols, otherIEEE 802 family protocols, short range wireless transmission, wide areanetwork or broadband transmission methods, such as Bluetooth®, wirelessuniversal serial bus protocols (W-USB), WiFi, WiMax, WiFiMax, Long TermEvolution (LTE), VOIP, ultrawideband protocols (UWB), satellitecommunication protocols or other wireless protocols, or opticaltechniques including lasers. The user may also input data manually, suchas by a stylus or keypad, touchpad or by various other techniquesdiscussed above and below.

The term “generic input/output port” is used to mean any type ofconventional, standard, universal, stock, consumer, or “off-the-shelf”port for data input and output. These may include both wired andwireless ports and may be located externally or internally to the WID. Afurther description is given below.

Various embodiments of the invention are now described in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system is shown for monitoring exercise data froma patient or subject 38. The system includes a wireless exercisemonitoring apparatus (“WEMA”) 10 described in further detail below. WEMA10 is linked in a wireless fashion to a wireless connection point ofpresence (“POP”) 19, the same including at least a base station antenna15 coupled to a server 17. Server 17 is in turn connected to the wired,or even a wireless (not shown) Internet 21, which may include the WorldWide Web.

It should be noted that the base station embodiment shown in FIG. 1 maybe replaced or removed for mobile phones which connect via satellitei.e., “satellite phones”, rather than via a cellular network or otherwireless communication.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of WEMA 10 is shown. WEMA 10includes an HMD 11, which may include an optional monitor screen 40,coupled via an optional adaptor 42 to a WID 12. WID 12 connectswirelessly via an antenna 60 to base station 15 (see FIG. 1). Onefunction of WID 12 may be to provide the user interface; other functionsare described below.

As noted above, HMD 11 may include a physiological sensor 24 whichconnects to the HMD via a connection 44 (or which may alternativelyconnect directly to the WID) or a sensor 24′ tracking an amount ofexercise performed that connects to the WID (or HMD) via a connection44; or may include a manual system 36 for input of physiological andexercise data via a connection 34. Manual system 36 may also be used toinput data directly into WID 12 via a connection 32. Manual system 36may include, e.g., a keyboard or keypad 30, a mouse 26, a pen-typedevice 28, touch screen 28′ and may also employ a separate monitor (notshown). Of course, the user may also view information on monitor 40 oron a screen 41 of WID 12. In many embodiments, the touch screen orkeypad system employed by many current mobile phones such as theiPhone®, may be preferred for such manual data input.

Data may also be input via entry on a computer 37. This data may then besynchronized to WID 12 in known fashion. Alternatively, computer 37, oranother computer may be used to connect to a server using the wiredinternet. This use may be particularly advantageous when entering alarge amount of data. As noted above, in this way the user may beafforded a more convenient environment in which to manipulate data tosupplement the data input to the WID.

It will be clear to one of skill in the art given this teaching thatcable 32, as well as cables 34 and 44, may be replaced with wirelesscircuitry to communicate signals wirelessly. Alternatively, cables 34 or44 may be replaced by a direct plug and socket connection. In thisconnection, adaptor 42 may be a direct plug and socket connection.

For exercise devices and applications, physiological sensor 24 mayinclude, e.g., a sensor appropriate for measuring heart rate,respiration, blood glucose levels, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure,electrocardiograms (ECG), or any other desired physiological parameter.Sensor 24 may also include a camera configured as a heart pulse monitorby detecting color or heat changes. Sensor 24 may connect via anoptional cable 44 to subject 38. Alternatively, sensor 24 may be distalof HMD 11, i.e., at or within subject 38. In other words, if cable 44 isemployed, sensor 24 may be proximal or distal of cable 44. In someapplications, such as some types of cardiac monitoring, sensor 24 isimplanted within the patient. The sensor 24′ tracking the exerciseperformed may include, e.g. a pedometer, accelerometer, biofeedbackdevice, timer, GPS device, or other sensor tracking duration, rate,intensity or total amount of exercise. Either or both the physiologicalsensor and/or sensor tracking the amount of exercise may be incorporatedin exercise machines such as a treadmill, exercise bicycle, stepper andso forth. Alternatively, other exercise monitors may also be employed solong as the measured data may either be transferred to WID 12, e.g., viaoptional adaptor 42, described in further detail below, or by being readby a user, e.g., from a display, and manually input to the WID.

If a wireless communications capability is added, sensor 24 or sensor24′ need not physically connect with HMD 11 or WID 12 at all. That is,the same may measure an exercise parameter and may communicate the sameto WEMA 10 wirelessly. The short-range wireless communications schemeswhich may be employed include infrared, radio frequency including avariety of 802.15 protocols such as Bluetooth®, a variety of 802.11protocols such as WiFi or any other such wireless transmission schemes,including those described above.

As examples of sensor types, to measure heart rate, sensor 24 may beplaced via a chest band or an adhesive sensor disposed on the chest. Asan example of sensor type 24′ to measure the amount of exerciseperformed, a pedometer may be disposed on the user to track the numberof miles traveled. Other exercise monitors may also be employed so longas the measured data may either be transferred to WID 12, e.g., viaoptional adaptor 42, described in further detail below, or by being readby a user, e.g., from a display, and manually input to WID 12.Alternatively, the measured data may be transferred to WID 12 viawireless communication schemes, using a variety of 802.15 protocols suchas Bluetooth®, a variety of 802.11 protocols such as WiFi, infrared,optical, microwaves, etc., directly from sensor 24 or sensor 24′ or fromHMD 11 as described in greater detail below. HMD 11 may be a wearabledevice, such as a watch in wireless communication with sensor 24, e.g. aheart rate chest band; or sensor 24 can be integrated with the watch,e.g. a resident pulse monitor. Sensor 24 may also be integrated in anarticle of clothing, e.g. smart apparel. The wearable device maycommunicate wirelessly with WID 12, e.g. a mobile phone, or with theInternet 11 directly via other transceiver means.

The user, who may or may not be the same person as subject 38, may inputdata to WID 12 to supplement the measured data. For example, in a healthor exercise system, if subject 38 consumes a known number of calories,this information may be entered via manual system 36 directly into WID12 or into HMD 11. Further, the user, the subject, and the sensor arenot necessarily the sole sources of information. Data stored on theserver, or on a separate server operated for health management, may alsobe employed to result in a health benefit to subject 38.

The data used to benefit the subject 38 may be from a camera as well asfrom an HMD. Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a WID 244 is shownequipped with a camera 224 and an optional memory device 246. The cameramay be integral to the WID, or may be separate and connected via acable. The camera may be incorporated in a wearable WID, e.g smart

Particularly important types of visual data about a user that may bewirelessly transmitted from the WID are those corresponding tophotographic pictures, both still and video, and graphical or visualdata output images from an HMD, e.g., an exercise machine. In eithercase, a trainer, coach, or medical personnel may use such data to takeappropriate action.

To obtain the first type of data noted above, photographic data, acamera may be employed, which is either resident on the WID or isotherwise available by way of a wired or wireless link. The WID maystore photographic data, either still or video, and transmit the samewirelessly to a point of collection, e.g., a server application, or maysave the photographic data on the memory device or in other devicestorage for contemporaneous or later transmission, again either via astreamed, non-streamed, or other transmission method. The WID may be inthe form of a wearable device equipped with a camera, e.g. eyewear orwatch. As noted above, the WID may connect with a physiological sensor24, e.g. a distal or integrated pulse monitor, and with a sensor 24′ tomeasure the amount of exercise performed, e.g. a distal or integratedGPS device.

There are various ways in which visual data may be communicated to aremote reviewer. A simple method is to send the visual data via an emailmessage. In more advanced methods, the visual data may be integratedwith a data stream of other medical information. Current systems may beused in combination with the present invention to facilitate thehandling and transmission of visual data by a WID. In all cases, thevisual data may be stored, e.g., as a separate file or may be includedas an embedded object in a data file on the memory device or in anemail.

In more detail, a data port from a HMD that is coupled to a user may beemployed to send visual information from the same to an input port onthe WID. This transmission may be accomplished via the techniquesdescribed above. Such data may be in either a raw form or in apreformatted-for-video form, and may be stored in the WID or on thememory device. In either case, it may be required to format the data ina way suitable for the display screen of the WID. In some cases, viewingon the WID is not necessary, and the data may be sent in its originalform, optionally undergoing some intermediate processing, directly on tothe trainer, coach or other remote reviewer's system for viewing oranalysis. Examples of this type of data may pertain to the performanceof exercise data or other sources of data. The remoter reviewer mayinclude another user, similarly equipped with a WID, e.g. when the usersare engaged in team activities.

Alternatively, a subset of the data may be sent, such as a compressedversion, while the remainder, i.e., the complete version of the userdata, may be maintained on the WID and/or memory device for purposes ofmaintaining a complete user record.

The memory device 246 may be a smartcard, a smartmedia card, a memorycard, memory stick, compact flash card, memory cubes, micro-drives,disk-on-keys, flash memory-keys, micro-laser disks, nano-storagedevices, bio-memories, battery/memory combination device, USB flashdrives, and so on, or indeed any other type of removable media that maybe connected to a WID to store information. Typically, these memorydevices are capable of storing substantial amounts of data. The same mayalso include a memory and power source or combination device. In anotherembodiment, the memory device 246 may be inserted (not shown) in amemory device reader, which is in turn connected to a WID via a link.

Of course, in some devices, including some current smart mobile phonesor other wireless mobile devices such as netbooks, there is no need fora separate memory device 246 as the internal storage capacity, e.g. inthe form of solid state memory, microdrive or other memory storagedevices, is sufficient to store all applications and data. Whether via amemory device 246 or internal storage, enhanced functionality andstorage are provided for the WIDs 244 or 250. This may be particularlyimportant for exercise data, as certain physiological monitoringapparatuses produce copious amounts of data, e.g., cardiac monitoringequipment, and thus require substantial storage capabilities. This isparticularly true for memory-intensive video and multimedia content.

Another reason such memory devices are particularly pertinent in medicaldevice monitoring is that they store data which can then be wirelesslytransmitted in a streamed or non-streamed fashion. In the event ofdrop-outs, interruptions, or unavailability of the wireless network, noloss of data occurs, as the data has been stored on the memory deviceand may be wirelessly transmitted at a later time when cellular ormobile service is again available. The memory device thus serves as abackup storage media. In the event of an extended period ofunavailability of a wireless network, the memory device may be replacedor overwritten to provide practically unlimited storage until such timeas the network is available and the data can be uploaded. In moredetail, in the case of a dropout or other disruption of wirelessservice, the data may be stored on the memory device or in the WID if ithas not already been, as may be the case for streamed data. The WID mayperiodically test for the availability of the wireless network, and maywait until the network is available. Once the system is again available,the advice from the trainer, coach or other reviewer may be sent to theWID and the user may again take action.

Of course, even if the wireless network is available, the memory deviceor on-board WID memory may store the data for various purposes. Thisreal-time capability and robustness is often very important in ensuringuser safety and ensuring that a high level of care is being delivered tothe user by the trainer, coach, or medical personnel, particularly infield situations, such as running or, bicycling, where the wirelessconnection may be the only source of communication. A related reason whymemory devices are particularly pertinent in exercise device monitoringis that they allow a greater level of buffering for real-time datamonitoring, thus allowing more pre-analysis and filtering of data.

A further benefit of the use of memory devices is that they provide foreasy application downloading onto a WID. For example, a memory devicemay be inserted into a WID and a large application program may be easilydownloaded onto the computer-readable media of a WID from the memorydevice rather than through a wired or wireless synchronization ordownloading process via a PC or the internet or both. Appropriate typesof computer-readable media have been described above. Downloading inthis fashion may be particularly rapid and complete. The downloaded datamay include visual data, such as still or video photographic images,that instruct a user on the operation of a device. In an alternativeembodiment, visual data need not be downloaded but may rather bestreamed, either from a stored video on a server or in real-time via auser with a webcam. In downloaded or streamed but generally not livesystems, the user interface may be interactive, allowing the user toaccess a knowledge database resident on the server or memory device orpreviously downloaded onto the memory of the WID.

Referring to FIG. 4, WEMA 10 is shown communicating wirelessly with theInternet. In doing so, WEMA 10 generally sends a wireless signal to abase station 14 (in known fashion) that is connected to a server 18 thatis in signal communication (in known fashion) with the internet 20.Server 18 communicates via a protocol (in known fashion) to Internet 20,which also communicates via a protocol (in known fashion) to a server 22running an application 62. Server 22 may be accessed (in known fashion)by a client computer 44 through a connection 64.

As noted, the protocols for data communication are known. They include avariety of cellular protocols, a variety of 802.11 protocols, 802.15protocols, 802.16 protocols, 802.20 protocols, other IEEE 802 familyprotocols, wide area network or broadband transmission methods, WiFi,WiMax, WiFiMax, Long Term Evolution (LTE), VOIP, ultrawideband protocols(UWB), or other wireless communication protocols, and may include asatellite instead of ground-based communication systems. However, theycurrently vary amongst known techniques. The present invention is notlimited to any particular protocols, and may be implemented in anylanguages supported by the WID and server. In particular, the wirelesscommunications schemes envisioned by the present invention includecellular, mobile, satellite, and other such wireless techniques. In suchwireless communication systems, an additional security layer may beemployed, including industry-standard encryption and decryption of thetransmitted data, especially as health information is highly sensitiveand private data.

Of course, as computing capabilities continue to increase, it isexpected that the capabilities of WEMA 10, servers 18 and 22, as well asapplication 62 and client 44, and other components, will correspondinglyincrease.

Application 62 running on server 22 which is stored in computer readablemedia as described above may interact with WEMA 10 in a number of ways.Referring to FIG. 5, WEMA 10 is shown in signal communication withserver 22 via a connection 72. Connection 72 schematically representsthe wireless Internet connection and intervening pathways. WEMA 10includes an application that may be viewed as having two components: abase wireless or device application 70 and an application presentationlayer or user interface 68. User interface 68 is employed to, e.g.,present a menu of options to the user, to allow the user to chooseinputs, and to generally operate the device. User interface 68 may varywidely in sophistication, e.g., from a simple data entry field to a fullgraphical user interface. These applications may accept as inputs datafrom a sensor 24 and sensor 24′ as well as from a manual input 36.

Server 22 has a base server application 62 stored on computer-readablemedia as described above with which the same calculates or provides aresponse based at least in part on data from WEMA 10. Application 62 mayinclude an algorithm 63 for analyzing data from the HMD, and eitherapplication 62 or algorithm 63 may optionally access data from anexternal data source 74 and may further consult an artificialintelligence system 76. Server 22 may be accessed by a remote computingdevice 37′ by the subject user, a trainer, coach, or any other reviewer.

External data source 74 may be a memory or disk or other such storagethat stores health data, such as healthy and unhealthy weight/heightranges, healthy and unhealthy cholesterol counts, the user's priormedical or health history, healthy and unhealthy heart rate values,information corresponding to the caloric and other nutritional contentof foods, information corresponding to the caloric expenditure values ofvarious exercises, algorithms for calculating various health parameters,etc. In general, any data that may benefit the health of a user may bestored in external data source 74. External data source 74 may be amemory device or other such storage that stores supplemental data suchas treatment protocols. In general, any data that may benefit orotherwise affects the health condition of a user may be stored inexternal data source 74. External data source 74 may also include onlineaccess of health information from external databases or other sources.

As noted, application 62 or algorithm 63 may also consult AI system 76for suggestions as to health benefits. AI system 76 may even interactwith external data source 74 to extract useful information from thesame. AI system 76 may employ, e.g., case-based reasoning, rules-basedsystems, collaborative filtering, neural networks, expert systems, orother such systems as are known.

It should also be noted that each of application 62, algorithm 63,external data source 74, or AI system 76, may physically reside on morethan one server, e.g., on an array of servers for, e.g., storage ormultiple processing purposes. Each of application 62, algorithm 63,external data source 74, or AI system 76, or combinations of each, mayalso respectively reside on different servers.

The extent to which server application 62 interacts with wirelessapplication 70 depends on the use to which the system is put. Forexample, in a less interactive embodiment, device application 70 may actto measure a user's heart rate during exercise and report the same toserver application 62. In this case, a trainer may simply review themeasured value and send the user a response reporting that the value isacceptable or not. In a highly interactive embodiment, a user may havenumerous HMDs 11 measuring a variety of physiological data and/or otherdata tracking the amount of exercise performed, connected via optionaladaptors to a WID 12, and wireless application 70 may correspondinglysend a large amount of exercise data to server application 62. Thetrainer, coach, or physician accessing server application 62, may inturn send detailed plans for an exercise regimen via connection 72. Thereceived data may be analyzed using algorithm 63, external data source74, and AI system 76. In this sense, the two applications may be highlyinteractive.

It is noted that an Application Service Provider (ASP) may operateapplication 62. That is, application 62 may be leased by an ASP to acompany specializing in fitness or lifestyle management, and the ASP mayperform all necessary upgrades and maintenance to application 62 and itsassociated components.

To initialize the system, the program starts and a wireless applicationis loaded into computer readable media in the WID, if it has not beenpre-loaded. The initial loading of the wireless application may occurvia synchronization from a desktop or via downloading from a server overthe internet. The server application may be loaded into computerreadable media in an appropriate internet-connected server. Subject datamay be loaded into the WID or into the server application. In the lattercase, the subject information may later be transferred to the WID. Theinitialization scheme then ends.

The wireless application may access the server and server application,or vice-versa, as determined by the respective program instructions.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart of a method is shown for a system ofexercise, fitness, nutrition or health monitoring, and/or exercisemanagement. In this example, the HMD is in the form of a generalexercise machine such as a treadmill, stepper, exercise bicycle and soforth. An exercise monitor may be integral to the exercise machine ormay be separate.

In the method, both exercise data and visual data may be wirelesslytransmitted from the WID. Visual data include that corresponding tophotographic pictures, both still and video, and graphical or visualdata output images from an HMD, e.g., an exercise machine or equipmentdisplay screen, or other images related to the exercise being performed.A trainer or coach may review these images and use them to guide theuser as appropriate as described below.

After the start (step 242) of the method, a user interacts with a WID(step 240). By the interaction, visual data may be captured (step 241′),and/or the user may send supplemental data to the server and serverapplication (step 241).

To obtain the visual data noted above, photographic data, a camera maybe employed, which is either resident on the WID (camera 224 of FIG. 3)or is otherwise available by way of a link. The WID may storephotographic data, either still or video, and transmit the samewirelessly to a point of collection, e.g., a server application, or maysave the photographic data on the memory device for contemporaneous orlater transmission, again either via a streamed, non-streamed, or othertransmission method (step 208 of FIG. 6).

Also after the program is started (step 242), a sensor measures anexercise parameter (step 216), where the exercise parameter correspondsto physiological data or to data corresponding to the amount of exerciseperformed.

The exercise monitor sensor may send the parameter to the exercisemachine (step 218) or the parameter may be sent directly to the WID(step 218′). It is understood here that the “sensor” may pertain to anyof the exercise monitors discussed above.

If the parameter is sent to the exercise machine as an intermediatestep, the exercise machine then sends the parameter to the WID (step220). In any case, the WID wirelessly communicates the parameter to theapplication server (step 222), e.g., via the wireless web.

An alternative and complementary way of entering the parameter is byuser input. For example, the user may enter the parameter into theexercise machine or into the WID. This parameter may correspond to anamount of exercise performed, an amount of food consumed, etc. Such dataand other types are termed supplemental data, and may be transmitted tothe server and server application (step 241). Calculations by the serverapplication may take into account the supplemental data as well as thevisual data and exercise data.

The server application processes the parameter (step 224 and optionallystep 225), and calculates a response (step 226) based at least in parton the parameter. The server application may optionally employ externaldata (step 232) or an AI system (step 234) in the calculation. Theapplication server then sends the response to the WID (step 228), wherethe response is displayed (step 230). Alternatively, the applicationserver may sends the response to an alternate WID (step 228′), such asthat of a coach or teammate, where the response is displayed (step230′).

The same definitional statements regarding the terms “response”,“calculate”, “sensor”, etc., as given before, apply in this embodimentas well.

As an optional step, a trainer, coach, or other specialist may notifythe user of the response (step 238) after having the same displayed ontheir client computer (step 236). The specialist may be replaced in thisexample by an application that may also include an algorithm.

To devise the exercise data mentioned above, a data port from a HMD thatis coupled to a user may be employed to send information from the sameto an input port on the WID. This transmission may be accomplished viathe techniques described above. Such data may be in either a raw form orin a preformatted-for-video form, and may be stored in the WID or on thememory device. In either case, it may be required to format the data ina way suitable for the display screen of the WID. In some cases, viewingon the WID is not necessary, and the data may be sent in its originalform, optionally undergoing some intermediate processing, directly on tothe remote reviewer's system for viewing or analysis. Examples of thistype of data may be the display output of an exercise machine or othersources of data. Alternatively, a subset of the data may be sent, suchas a compressed version, while the remainder, i.e., the complete versionof the user's data, may be maintained on the WID and/or memory devicefor purposes of maintaining a complete user record.

The WID may store the HMD data, and transmit the same wirelessly to apoint of collection or may save the data on the memory device forcontemporaneous or later transmission, again either via a streamed orother transmission method. The memory device may be any type ofcomputer-readable media, including, e.g., a smartcard, a smartmediacard, a memory card, memory stick, compact flash card, memory cubes,micro-drives, disk-on-keys, flash memory-keys, micro-laser disks,nano-storage devices, bio-memories, battery/memory combination device,USB flash drives, and so on, or indeed any other type of removable mediathat may be connected to a WID to store information.

In the case of a dropout or other disruption of wireless service, thedata may be stored on the memory device or in the WID if it has notalready been, as may be the case for streamed data. The WID mayperiodically test for the availability of the wireless network, and maywait until the network is available. Once the system is again available,the advice from the caregiver may be sent to the WID and the on-sitepersonnel may again take action.

Using such data, an off-site trainer, coach, or other health careprofessional may give the user valuable guidance and advice. Moreover,no wired or dedicated connection is necessary.

More particularly, for visual data, there are various ways in which suchdata may be communicated to an off-site reviewer. A simple method is tosend the visual data via an email message. In more advanced methods, thevisual data may be integrated with a data stream of other information.Current systems may be used in combination with the present invention tofacilitate the handling and transmission of visual data by a WID. In allcases, the visual data may be stored, e.g., as a separate file or may beincluded as an embedded object in a data file on the memory device or inan email.

Adaptor Hardware

A description is given below of a particular type of adaptor hardware.As noted above, the adaptor may optionally be used to connect a HMD to aWID.

In general, a connection is necessary between a HMD 11 and a WID. Thenature of this connection may vary. For example, the connection may bewired or wireless. For wired systems, the connection may be direct or anadaptor may be employed, either on one or both ends of the direct wiredconnection, to adapt the signal appropriately. In the same way, forwireless systems, the connection may be direct, if both HMD and WIDemploy the same wireless protocol, or an adaptor may be involved tomodify the signal of one or both devices. These connections, all ofwhich are encompassed by the present invention, are discussed in moredetail below.

Referring to FIG. 7, an embodiment of the connection is shown. In thisfigure, a hardware (or “wired”) connection is shown, i.e., an adaptor168, disposed between a HMD 160 and a WID 162. The HMD 160 may connectto an exercise machine via a connector 52 with optional adaptor 124.This connection may also be wireless as has been described. In mostcircumstances, it is assumed that the varieties of HMDs will vary morewidely than the varieties of WIDs. Accordingly, HMD 160 will likely haveone of a variety of types of connectors for input/output purposes, hereshown as a connector 164. Connector 164 mates with a connector 172 ofadaptor 168. At another point on adaptor 168 is a connector 172′ forconnecting to a generic input/output port 164′ on WID 162. A cable 170is disposed between the two connectors, cable 170 capable of includingadaptor circuitry if desired.

Of course, the use and structure of adaptor 168, between HMD 160 and WID162, depends on factors such as the prevalence of an industry standardfor such communications. In other words, if the output of HMD 160 isreadily acceptable to WID 162, then the same may be directly connectedor may be connected via a simple cable, the same basically extendingfrom pin-to-pin. For example, a standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) orserial cable (RS232) may be used if the input/output ports between theHMD and the WID are compatible. Otherwise, a suitable adaptor circuitthat provides for appropriate signal and pin conversion may be employed.For example, a standard USB-to-serial (RS232) cable or the like may beused as required. The connection may also be an input for data, e.g. aUSB port or phone jack or other such wired input, or a media storagedevice, again employing an adaptor circuit if required.

Port 164 can be used to communicate with HMD 160 and connector 164 via anumber of types of wired connections, including USB, or Firewire. Insome cases, optional adaptor 168 may also be employed.

In other embodiments, such as for devices connected to proprietaryconnectors, a less standard and perhaps proprietary pin-out may berequired.

Referring to FIG. 8, an embodiment of a wireless implementation of theWEMA 10 is shown. In FIG. 8, a wireless connection is shown between HMD160 and WID 162. HMD 160 may have an integral wirelessmodulator/demodulator disposed within (not shown). More likely, however,is that HMD 160 has an adaptor 154 connectable thereto which performsthese functions. Adapter 154 may plug into a connector 165 on HMD 160.WID 162 may have an integral wireless modulator/demodulator (not shown),although an adaptor can also be used in this context.

While the device shown in FIG. 8 is described in the context of generalwireless communications, various protocols may be employed. For radiofrequency communications, a variety of 802.11 protocols, 802.15protocols, other IEEE 802 family protocols, short-range wirelesstransmission methods such as Bluetooth®, wireless universal serial busprotocols (W-USB), or other wireless transmission methods may beadvantageously employed. Other techniques employing a similarconfiguration include those employing IR, microwaves, optical techniquesincluding lasers, and so on.

It should be understood that the above is merely exemplary, and that theform of the adaptor may vary widely between HMDs and WIDs.

As noted above, besides the exercise data transmission from HMDs, othersorts of transmissions may also occur. For example, visual data, such asphotographs or videos, may be transferred as an indication of the user'sperformance condition and to aid remote analysis. Alternatively, othervisual indications of a user's status, such as graphical or otheroutputs of HMDs, may provide information useful for a trainer, coach, orother reviewer.

In certain embodiments, a set of visual data from a camera or from anHMD and voice communication may be transmitted via thetelecommunications infrastructure from the WID. The visual data may thusbe sent via an appropriate protocol to a server for retrieval andanalysis by a trainer, coach or other reviewer.

The advent of multimedia mobile phones and other WIDs that include adigital camera (or are equipped with a link to one) allow the captureand transmission of photographic images using low-cost consumer devices.Embodiments of the invention may employ these in combination with HMDs.

It will be understood that the above description of a “Method AndApparatus For Exercise Monitoring Combining Exercise Monitoring andVisual Data With Wireless Internet Connectivity” has been with respectto particular embodiments of the invention. While this description isfully capable of attaining the objects of the invention, it isunderstood that the same is merely representative of the broad scope ofthe invention envisioned, and that numerous variations of the aboveembodiments may be known or may become known or are obvious or maybecome obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and these variationsare fully within the broad scope of the invention. For example, whilecertain wireless technologies have been described herein, other suchwireless technologies may also be employed. Furthermore, while varioustypes of exercise monitors have been mentioned, numerous other types mayalso be used in the embodiments of the invention, including types ofdevices that are incorporated within the WID. Accordingly, the scope ofthe invention is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto, andequivalents thereof. In these claims, a reference to an element in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitlystated. Rather, the same is intended to mean “one or more”. Allstructural and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described preferred embodiment that are known or later come to beknown to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporatedherein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the presentclaims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to addresseach and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, forit to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element,component, or method step in the present invention is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, ormethod step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element hereinis to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, para. 6,unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for”.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for monitoring exercise,comprising: a mobile internet device configured to be carried on aperson, the mobile internet device including: an integral digitalcamera, and a generic port providing a connection to an exercisemonitoring device; a communications port providing an interactivewireless connection with one or more internet servers; a non-transitorycomputer readable medium having instructions stored thereon forproviding a user interface for displaying visual images includinggraphics, photographs, and video clips; the non-transitory computerreadable medium further having instructions stored thereon forperforming a method comprising steps of: receiving a first type of datathat is physiological data measured during exercise, and receiving asecond type of data that is an amount of exercise work performed;receiving a third type of data representing visual images captured bythe camera, and transmitting the first type of data measuring thephysiological data, the second type of data measuring the quantitativeamount of exercise work performed, and the third type of datarepresenting the visual images, to one or more internet servers, and anon-transitory computer readable medium residing on one or more internetservers having instructions stored thereon defining a server applicationfor performing a method comprising steps of: receiving the first type ofdata that is the physiological data, and receiving the second type ofdata that is a quantitative amount of exercise work performed, andreceiving the third type of data representing visual images from themobile internet device; processing the first, second, and third types ofdata; transmitting the processed data to the mobile internet device inresponse; and transmitting the processed data to a second mobile device,whereby a user of the second mobile device may review the transmitteddata and images; wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium ofthe wireless internet device further has instructions for causing thewireless internet device to receive and display the processed data onthe user interface of the wireless internet device.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile internet device is selected from the groupcomprising: a watch, eyewear, apparel, or other device configured to beworn by a person.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a GPSdevice, an accelerometer, or a timer, integral within the mobileinternet device or connected to it, and wherein the data measuring aquantitative amount of exercise work performed is received from the GPSdevice, the accelerometer, or the timer.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the first or second types of data, or both, are received fromthe generic port, and wherein the generic port for connection to anexercise monitoring device is adapted to receive signals from a deviceselected from the group comprising: a heart rate monitor, a respirationrate monitor, a blood pressure monitor, a temperature monitor, anaccelerometer, a pedometer, a GPS device, a timer; a device tracking,rate, intensity, distance, duration, or total amount of exercise; a bodyweight scale, a body fat gauge, a biofeedback device, a treadmill, arowing machine, an exercise bicycle, or a stepper.
 5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the generic port for connection to an exercisemonitoring device is configured to provide a wired connection.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the generic port for connection to anexercise monitoring device is configured to provide a wirelessconnection, that employs a protocol selected from a variety of 802.11,Bluetooth, or other short range wireless transmission methods.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the communications port providing aninteractive wireless connection to one or more internet servers isconfigured to provide a wireless link that employs a protocol selectedfrom a variety of 802.11, other IEEE family protocols, cellular, orother RF protocols.
 8. A system for monitoring exercise, comprising: amobile internet device configured to be carried on a person, the mobileinternet device including: an integral digital camera, and a genericport providing a connection to an exercise monitoring device; acommunications port providing an interactive wireless connection withone or more internet servers; a non-transitory computer readable mediumhaving instructions stored thereon for providing a user interface fordisplaying visual images including graphics, photographs, and videoclips; the non-transitory computer readable medium further havinginstructions stored thereon for performing a method comprising steps of:receiving a first type of data that is physiological data measuredduring exercise, and receiving a second type of data that is an amountof exercise work performed; receiving a third type of data representingvisual images captured by the camera, and transmitting the first type ofdata measuring the physiological data, the second type of data measuringthe quantitative amount of exercise work performed, and the third typeof data representing the visual images, to one or more internet servers,and a non-transitory computer readable medium residing on one or moreinternet servers having instructions stored thereon defining a serverapplication for performing a method comprising steps of: receiving thefirst type of data that is the physiological data, and receiving thesecond type of data that is a quantitative amount of exercise workperformed, and receiving the third type of data representing visualimages from the mobile internet device; processing the first, second,and third types of data; transmitting the processed data to the mobileinternet device in response; and sharing the physiological data relatedto exercise, or the data measuring a quantitative amount of exercisework performed, or the visual images related to exercise, orcombinations thereof, with multiple other mobile internet devices;wherein the non-transitory computer readable medium of the wirelessinternet device further has instructions for causing the wirelessinternet device to receive and display the processed data on the userinterface of the wireless internet device.